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Entertainment District park on track for summer opening

Phase one should be finished for Fourth of July holiday

A rendering of the Entertainment District Park, located at the southwest corner of Kimmer Drive and Park Meadows Drive, shows a vision of the park that will be completed early this summer.

Rendering courtesy of City of Lone Tree

A sculpture created by artist Frank Swanson will adorn the new Entertainment District Park in Lone Tree, slated for completion early this summer.

Residents and people who work in the Entertainment District of Lone Tree will soon have a new place to walk during lunchtime or sit and watch the world go by as they enjoy an afternoon break.

Construction on the Entertainment District Park, located at the southwest corner of Kimmer Drive and Park Meadows Drive, should be completed by early summer, according to Pamela Cornelisse, senior park planner for South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

“The park will include a shade structure and bar-height seating overlooking the wetland/detention area,” said Cornelisse. “There will be benches and picnic tables in the plaza for seating as well.”

The concept for the park dates to 2013, when the City of Lone Tree released a “vision book,” that described the re-envisioning of the Entertainment District, an area east of Yosemite Street that includes retail, restaurants, a movie theater and other attractions. The vision included redeveloping the seven-acre detention pond into an active/passive civic park. In 2015, after an engineering study and public input, the conceptual design for the park was completed, and construction began in the fall of 2017, according to Cornelisse.

Phase one of the park is estimated to cost about $1.1 million. The park is a joint effort between South Suburban, which is investing nearly $900,000 into the project, and the city. It was created in part to give those working in the area an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather, as well as get a workout if they desire.

It was created in part to give those working in the area an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather, as well as get a workout if they desire.

“There will be a fitness station, in case anyone wants to get a little work out in, as well as a bicycle rack, and future phases will include additional trail connections,” said Cornelisse.

Barring any extreme weather, the park could be open in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

“This park will be a nice amenity for the local community and those who work in the area,” said Cornelisse. “Nearby apartment dwellers and workers can walk or bike to the park to eat lunch and relax outdoors. Entertainment District Park will connect residents to businesses nearby, and serve as a gathering spot for community events.”

Artist Frank Swanson, who owns Swanson Stone Studios in Sedalia, is creating a sculpture made of granite that will adorn the park, and future phases of development will include a playground, turf field and additional fitness stations.

Lone Tree City Councilmember Jay Carpenter praised the work of SSPR in building the park and said he's excited to see it completed.

“We are excited about the completion of the Phase 1 of the Entertainment District Park,” said Carpenter. “We envision it being a great place to relax, hang out and walk the trail to adjoining nearby homes and businesses. Our partners at South Suburban Parks and Recreation have been thoughtful on the park's layout given the challenging aspects of the park's location. We are continually focused on placemaking throughout the city and look forward to this new addition.”

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